Connector for coaxial cable

ABSTRACT

A connector for a coaxial cable including an outer sleeve adapted to threadably mate with a coupling member and rotatable on an inner sleeve for termination on a coaxial cable, the inner and outer sleeves being separated by washers and a seal which absorbs compression forces and prevent torque transmitted from the coupling member and mated outer sleeve to the coaxial cable.

United States Patent Ziegler, Jr. 1 June 27, 1972 CONNECTOR FOR COAXIAL CABLE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventor: George Ziegler, Jn, Carlisle, P 887,515 1/1962 Great Britain ..339/177 R [73] Assignee: AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.

Primary Examiner-Marvin A. Champion [22] led: May 1970 Assistant Examiner-Lawrence J. Staab 2 APP] 39, 40 Attorney-William J. Keating, Ronald D. Grefe, Gerald K.

Kita, Frederick W. Raring, Jay L. Seitchik and John P. Vandenburg [52] U.S. Cl. ..339/89'C, 285/354, 285/382,

339/94 C, 339/177 R BS-nu [51] Int. Cl ..H0lr 13/54, HOlr 17/04 [57] CT [58] Field of Search ..339/60 C, 89, 90, 94 C, 136C, A connector for a coaxial cable including an outer sleeve 177 177 adapted to threadably mate with a coupling member and 277/165 rotatable on an inner sleeve for termination on a coaxial cable, the inner and outer sleeves being separated by washers and a [56] Reerences Cned seal which absorbs compression forces and prevent torque UNITED STATES PATENTS transmitted from the coupling member and mated outer sleeve to the coaxial cable. 2,907,590 10/1959 Oswald ..285/98 3,171,707 3/1965 Powell ..339/177 5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 30 2a 2 I8 20 34 54 I6 V, 24 s s PATENTEDJUNZI m2 3, 673 547 INVENTO/i GEORGE WILLIAM Z IEGLERJR CONNECTOR FOR COAXIAL CABLE FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention related to a connector for a coaxial cable, and more particularly to a coaxial cable connector which may be threadably mated with a complimentary coupling member without transmitting torque to the coaxial cable.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART Prior art coaxial cable connectors typically comprise an outer sleeve rotatably mounted over an inner sleeve which is terminated to an end of a coaxial cable. A snap ring is surroundingly received over the inner sleeve and is partially received within the outer sleeve for limiting longitudinal relative motion between the sleeves. When the connector is mated with a complimentary coupling member, the snap ring transmits torque between the outer and inner sleeves, and thus to the coaxial cable terminated to the inner sleeve. No provision is made to alleviate transmission of such torque, which causes distortion of the coaxial cable and consequent distortion in the signal transmitted thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a coaxial cable connector which eliminates the snap ring of a prior art connector, and also which may be threadably mated to a complimentary coupling member without transmission of torque to the coaxial cable. In a preferred embodiment, an inner sleeve, terminated to a coaxial cable, is received for limited longitudinal motion within an outer sleeve rotatably mounted over the inner sleeve. To prevent transmission of torque therebetween, the sleeves are separated by a compressible washer and a lubricating washer, the compressible washer absorbing compression of the outer sleeve upon the inner sleeve and the lubricating washer providing a relatively low coefficient of friction to allow relative rotational motion between the sleeves. Thus, the connector according to the present invention eliminates the disadvantages inherent in a prior art connector. A further feature of the present invention permits swaging over of the outer sleeve without danger of excessive deformation thereof in order to provide a retaining shoulder which overlies a portion of the inner sleeve and limits relative longitudinal motion thereof.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector, which when terminated on a coaxial cable, is adapted for threadably mating with a coupling member without transmitting torque to the cable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connector for a coaxial cable which includes an outer sleeve adapted to threadably mate with a coupling member, which outer sleeve is rotatable on an inner sleeve adapted for termination on a coaxial cable.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connector for a coaxial cable including an inner and outer sleeve which are relatively rotatable and separated by a compressible washer and a compressible seal which cooperate with a lubricating washer to absorb compression forces and prevent transmission of torque to the coaxial cable when the outer sleeve is mated with a complimentary coupling member.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a coaxial cable connector including an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve which is swaged over to provide a shoulder overlying a portion of the inner sleeve to limit relative motion thereof, with additional structure on the connector which prevents excessive swaging deformation of the outer sleeve.

Other objects and many advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon perusal of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the description of the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an enlarged elevation partially in section and illustrating in exploded configuration, a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an elevation partially in section illustrating details of the outer sleeve of the preferred embodiment of FIG. I.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With more particular reference to the drawings, there is illustrated in'FlG. l a preferred embodiment of a coaxial cable connector, generally indicated at l. A cylindrical sleeve 2 is provided with a first reduced inner diameter 4 which is provided specifically to engage upon the outer conductor of a coaxial cable, not shown. The inner diameter 4 is immediately adjacent to a second, enlarged diameter portion 6, with an annular shoulder 8 defined therebetween. The enlarged diameter 6 and the shoulder 8 are provided to receive a metal ferrule for terminating the sleeve 2 to a coaxial cable according to the techniques specifically described in application Ser. No. 689,609, filed Dec. I1, 1967. An end portion 10 of the sleeve 2 is provided with an inner annular chamfer 12 circumferentially encircling and adjacent to the enlarged diameter portion 6. The remaining end portion 14 of the sleeve 2 includes a generally reduced outer diameter cylindrical sidewall 16 adjacent to a first stepped enlarged diameter portion 18 with an annular planar first stepped shoulder 20 connecting the diameter portions 16 and 18. The end portion 10 of the sleeve 2 includes a second stepped reduced diameter portion 22 adjacent to the first stepped diameter portion 18. An annular planar second stepped shoulder 24 connects the diameter portions 22 and 18. The first stepped shoulder 20 receives in seated relationship thereon an annular resilient seal 26 which engagingly encircles the diameter portion 16. As shown, the seal 26 may be provided with a rectangular cross section. The second stepped shoulder 24 receives thereagainst in seated relationship an annular washer 28 fabricated from a material with a low coefficient of friction such as polytetrafluroethylene. The washer 28 receives thereagainst a compressible resilient washer 30 having an inclined outer annular sidewall 32. Both washers 28 and 30 encircle the second stepped diameter portion 22.

As shown in the Figure, the sleeve 2 is an inner sleeve received within an outer sleeve 34. With reference to both FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer sleeve 34 is provided with an end portion 36 provided centrally thereof with a cylindrical bore 38 extending longitudinally of the sleeve 34. The bore 38 is provided with a shallow cylindrical counterbore 40, with an annular chamfer 42 connecting the counterbore sidewall and the bore sidewall 38. The bore 38 communicates with, and is axi ally aligned with, an adjacent enlarged diameter cylindrical recess 44 provided in an end portion 46 of the outer sleeve 34. A first stepped shoulder 48 is defined between the communicating bore 38 and the recess 44. The bore sidewall 38 is further provided with internal threads 50 extending between the chamfer 42 and the first inner stepped shoulder 48. The end portion 46 of the sleeve 34 includes a reduced diameter cylindrical flange 52 having a generally reduced diameter cylindrical outer surface 54 of sufficient dimensions to define the flange 52in a deformable thin web configuration. The terminal end of the flange 52 is provided with an inner encircling annular chamfer 56 immediately adjacent to the bore sidewall 44. The end of the flange 52 is further provided with an inclined annular surrounding outer chamfer 58 between the chamfer 56 and the cylindrical surface 54. To complete the configuration of the sleeve 34, it is provided intermediate its end portions 36 and 46 thereof with a thickened mid-portion 60 provided thereof with flattened adjacent surface portions 62 giving the outer surface of the thickened portion 60 a hexagonal shape to accept a wrench for application of rotating forces. The end portion 64 of the thickened portion 60 includes an inclined annular sidewall immediately adjacent to the cylindrical surface 54. Both the sidewall 64 and the chamfer 58 of the flange 52 are inclined to the same acute angle, preferably 45 degrees, for a purpose to be explained hereinafter.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner sleeve and outer sleeve are shown in assembled relationship. More particularly, the outer portion 18 of the inner sleeve is received within the enlarged diameter sidewall 44 of the outer sleeve. The shoulder 48 of the outer sleeve overlies the shoulder 20 of the inner sleeve thereby limiting longitudinal movement of the inner sleeve with respect to the outer sleeve. The annular seal 26 is received in the annular space between the threaded portion 50 of the outer sleeve and the diameter portion 16 of the inner sleeve and is partially compressed therebetween in order to retain its position against the first stepped shoulder 20. With the inner sleeve thus received within the outer sleeve, the washers 28 and 30 will be received within the bore sidewall 44 of the outer sleeve and entirely within the encircling flange 52. To complete the assembly, swaging pressure is applied, according to any well known technique, upon the outer cylindrical surface 54 causing the flange 52 to deform radially inward in encircling relationship over the inclined annular surface 32 of the washer 30. The swaging pressure is applied and deformation of the flange 52 continues until the cylindrical surface 54 becomes coplanar with the sidewall 64 of the thickened portion 60. When coplanar relationship between the surface 54 and the sidewall is attained, such will be an indication that sufficient swaging of the flange 52 is effected. Accordingly, excessive deformation of the flange 52 is prevented.

With the flange 52 thus swaged over, the chamfer 56 will be in adjacent spaced relationship encircling the diameter portion 22 of the end portion 10. Additionally, the deformed flange 52 will overlie the second stepped shoulder 24 of the inner sleeve with the washers 28 and 30 retained therebetween. Such resultant construction further limits longitudinal relative motion between the inner and outer sleeves.

The completed assembly results in the outer sleeve freely rotatable on the inner sleeve, the compressible resilient washer 28 absorbing any irregular compression by surface irregularities of the flange 52 arising from deformation thereof; also the washer 28 comprises a solid lubrication permitting relative rotation of the inner and outer sleeves.

In use, the connector 1 is adapted to threadably mate in connecting relationship with a coupling member 2, a portion of which is illustrated at 66. More particularly, the coupling member is provided with external threads 68 adapted to threadably engage within the threads 50 of the outer sleeve 34. An end portion 70 of the coupling member 66 is thus threadably urged in encircling relationship over the diameter portion 16 of the inner sleeve without touching the same, and is further urged to compressibly engage on the resilient seal 26. Such action thereby insures that the shoulder 20 of the inner sleeve and the overlying shoulder 48 of the outer sleeve do not engage during use. Such connection of the outer sleeve and the coupling 66 urges against the inner sleeve 2 with the result that the washers 28 and 30 are compressed between the second stepped shoulder 24 and the shoulder formed by the swaged over flange 52. As shown in FIG. 1, the inclined surface 32 of the resilient washer 30 absorbs the compression forces transmitted between the shoulder 24 and the flange 52. Further it absorbs the compression caused by surface irregularities in the flange 52 created during swaging over thereof. The washer 28 provides bearing surfaces with a low coefficient of friction allowing relative rotation of the sleeves 2 and 34. Accordingly, cooperation of the resilient seal 26, the resilient washer 30 and the washer 28 prevents transmission of torque 'to the coaxial cable, not shown, which torque is created upon the mating engagement of the connector 34 and the coupling member 66.

Accordingly, the objects of the invention are accomplished by the preferred embodiments thus described. Other modifications and embodiments of the invention are possible and are to be limited only in the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A connector for a coaxial cable, comprising: a first sleeve having an inner diameter sidewall adapted to engage a coaxial cable, the outer circumference of said first sleeve includinag first and second stepped shoulders thereon, a resilient se seated against said first shoulder, a lubricating washer seated on said second shoulder and mounted for rotation with respect to said first sleeve, a resilient washer seated against said lubricating washer and mounted for rotation over said first sleeve, a second sleeve surrounding said first sleeve and rotatably mounted thereon, said second sleeve including a first inner shoulder engaging said resilient seal and adapted to overlie said first stepped shoulder, a second inner shoulder provided on said second sleeve and adapted to engage against the resilient washer and overlie the second stepped shoulder, said lubricating washer surfaces having a low coefiicient of friction to permit relative rotation of said outer sleeve with respect to said inner sleeve, said second sleeve is internally threaded for matingly engaging an externally threaded coupling member, said coupling member compressible engaging said resilient seal and preventing contact between said first stepped shoulder and said first inner shoulder, said compressible washer and said lubricating washer in compression between the second inner shoulder and said second stepped shoulder and cooperating to prevent torque transmission between said outer sleeve and said inner sleeve, said second sleeve includes an inclined sidewall adjacent to a deformable portion forming said second inner shoulder, and said deformable portion being deformable upon application of deforming forces to a position coplanar with said inclined sidewall and thereby form said second inner shoulder.

2. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, said resilient washer includes an inclined compressible bearing surface, said deformable portion engaging said inclined bearing surface upon deformation of said deformable portion.

3. A connector for a coaxial cable, comprising: a first sleeve having an inner diameter sidewall adapted to engage a coaxial cable, the outer circumference of said first sleeve including first and second stepped shoulders thereon, a resilient seal seated against said first shoulder, a lubricating washer seated on said second shoulder and mounted for rotation with respect to said first sleeve, a resilient washer seated against said lubricating washer and mounted for rotation over said first sleeve, a second sleeve surrounding said first sleeve and rotatably mounted thereon, said second sleeve including a first inner shoulder engaging said resilient seal and adapted to overlie said first stepped shoulder, a second inner shoulder provided on said second sleeve and adapted to engage against the resilient washer and overlie the second stepped shoulder, said lubricating washer surfaces having a low coefficient of friction to permit relative rotation of said outer sleeve with respect to said inner sleeve, said second sleeve includes a chamfered sidewall surface adjacent to a deformable portion forming said second inner shoulder, said deformable portion being deformable upon application of deforming forces to a position coplanar with said chamfered sidewall surface and thereby form said second inner shoulder.

4. The structure as recited in claim 3, wherein, said resilient washer includes an inclined compressible bearing surface, and said deformable portion engages said inclined bearing surface upon deformation of said deformable portion to form said second inner shoulder.

5. The structure as recited in claim 3, wherein, said second sleeve includes an inclined sidewall defining said chamfered sidewall surface. 

1. A connector for a coaxial cable, comprising: a first sleeve having an inner diameter sidewall adapted to engage a coaxial cable, the outer circumference of said first sleeve including first and second stepped shoulders thereon, a resilient seal seated against said first shoulder, a lubricating washer seated on said second shoulder and mounted for rotation with respect to said first sleeve, a resilient washer seated against said lubricating washer and mounted for rotation over said first sleeve, a second sleeve surrounding said first sleeve and rotatably mounted thereon, said second sleeve including a first inner shoulder engaging said resilient seal and adapted to overlie said first stepped shoulder, a second inner shoulder provided on said second sleeve and adapted to engage against the resilient washer and overlie the second stepped shoulder, said lubricating washer surfaces having a low coefficient of friction to permit relative rotation of said outer sleeve with respect to said inner sleeve, said second sleeve is internally threaded for matingly engaging an externally threaded coupling member, said coupling member compressible engaging said resilient seal and preventing contact between said first stepped shoulder and said first inner shoulder, said compressible washer and said lubricating washer in compression between the second inner shoulder and said second stepped shoulder and cooperating to prevent torque transmission between said outer sleeve and said inner sleeve, said second sleeve includes an inclined sidewall adjacent to a deformable portion forming said second inner shoulder, and said deformable portion being deformable upon application of deforming forces to a position coplanar with said inclined sidewall and thereby form said second inner shoulder.
 2. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, said resilient washer includes an inclined compressible bearing surface, said deformable portion engaging said inclined bearing surface upon deformation of said deformable portion.
 3. A connector for a coaxial cable, comprising: a first sleeve having an inner diameter sidewall adapted to engage a coaxial cable, the outer circumference of said first sleeve including first and second stepped shoulders thereon, a resilient seal seated against said first shoulder, a lubricating washer seated on said second shoulder and mounted for rotation with respect to said first sleeve, a resilient washer seated against said lubricating washer and mounted for rotation over said first sleeve, a second sleeve surrounding said first sleeve and rotatably mounted thereon, said second sleeve including a first inner shoulder engaging said resilient seal and adapted to overlie said first stepped shoulder, a second inner shoulder provided on said second sleeve and adapted to engage against the resilienT washer and overlie the second stepped shoulder, said lubricating washer surfaces having a low coefficient of friction to permit relative rotation of said outer sleeve with respect to said inner sleeve, said second sleeve includes a chamfered sidewall surface adjacent to a deformable portion forming said second inner shoulder, said deformable portion being deformable upon application of deforming forces to a position coplanar with said chamfered sidewall surface and thereby form said second inner shoulder.
 4. The structure as recited in claim 3, wherein, said resilient washer includes an inclined compressible bearing surface, and said deformable portion engages said inclined bearing surface upon deformation of said deformable portion to form said second inner shoulder.
 5. The structure as recited in claim 3, wherein, said second sleeve includes an inclined sidewall defining said chamfered sidewall surface. 